Dual Electromagnetic Clutch Assembly - A dual clutch assembly is operable to drivingly couple a first shaft with one or both of second and third shafts. The clutch assembly has a coil housing having a first electromagnetic coil and a second electromagnetic coil. The first shaft is rotatably mounted to the coil housing. The first shaft is fixed for rotation with a first rotor cooperating with the first electromagnetic coil and a second rotor cooperating with the second electromagnetic coil. A first armature plate is elastically coupled to the second shaft to selectively couple and uncouple the first shaft with the second shaft upon energizing and de-energizing the first electromagnetic coil. A second armature plate is elastically coupled to a third shaft to selectively couple and uncouple the first shaft with the third shaft upon energizing and de-energizing the second electromagnetic coil.

06-03-2010

20140209427

FAN CLUTCH SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACCESSING COMPONENTS OF THE FAN CLUTCH SYSTEM - Some embodiments of a fan clutch system for use in a vehicle can provide efficient access to one or more components for inspection and service even after the fan clutch system is installed in the vehicle. In particular embodiments, the fan clutch system can include a fan clutch device and a coil retainer assembly that are removably mounted to a right-angle gear box assembly in a manner that permits a technician to accessing at least one component for inspection, repair, or replacement. The coil retainer assembly may at least partially house an electromagnetic coil for selective activation. The system may further include a fan clutch device removably mounted to the drive member of the gear box assembly.

07-31-2014

20120152687

ELECTROMECHANICAL ASSEMBLY TO CONTROL THE OPERATING MODE OF A COUPLING APPARATUS - An electromechanical assembly to control the operating mode of a coupling apparatus is provided. The assembly includes a first subassembly including a stator having at least one electromagnetically inductive coil to create a magnetic flux when the at least one coil is energized. At least one bi-directionally movable rod has a free end adapted for connection to a strut of the coupling apparatus for selective, small displacement strut movement. An actuator is operatively connected to the at least one rod for selective bi-directional shifting movement along a rotational axis between a first position of the actuator which corresponds to a first mode of the coupling apparatus and a second position of the actuator which corresponds to a second mode of the coupling apparatus. A magnetic control force is applied to the actuator when the at least one coil is energized to cause the actuator to move between positions.

06-21-2012

192840500

Air gap adjustment

1

20130270056

HYBRID CODED MAGNETS AND SMA POSITIVE DRIVE CLUTCH - A clutch for selective transmission of torque and power, utilizing pairs of coded arrays of permanent magnets affixed respectively to the driving member and the driven member. A shape memory alloy actuator brings to driving member and the driven member into proximity to engage the clutch via a higher-order mutual magnetic correspondence between the coded magnetic regions of the permanent magnet arrays. Also provided is a clutch having a magnetorheological fluid between the driving member and the driven member, to increase the torque and power transfer through the fluid when its viscosity is increased by the magnetic field of the arrays in proximity. Sets of corresponding teeth on the driving member and driven member mesh when the rotation of the members is synchronized, providing positive direct drive to prolong the service life of the fluid.

10-17-2013

Entries

Document

Title

Date

20090277743

STALL DETECTION SYSTEM FOR MOWER BLADE CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT - A stall detection system for mower blade clutch engagement determines if there is a stall condition by sensing one or more operating conditions such as engine deceleration or blade spindle rotation. If a stall condition is detected, a microcontroller shuts off actuating current to the electric clutch coil and automatically disengages or discontinues engagement of the clutch. The microcontroller may also provide a signal to inform the operator of the stall condition, and prevent repeated activation of the clutch until the stall condition is corrected.

11-12-2009

20160131206

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLABLY ACTUATING A SELECTABLE COUPLING ASSEMBLY HAVING MULTIPLE OPERATING MODES - An apparatus for controllably actuating a selectable coupling assembly is provided. The apparatus includes a bi-directionally movable, actuating shaft attachable to a movable element of the assembly to provide selective, small displacement element movement to linearly actuate the assembly. An excitation coil is arranged to be magnetically coupled with the shaft and to controllably move the shaft between positions which correspond to different operating modes of the assembly. A controller includes a power inlet terminal adapted to receive electrical power from a vehicle DC power source, a command input terminal adapted to receive a command signal from an electronic control unit and a power switching and supply circuit coupled to the coil to switch and supply received electrical power to the coil based on the command signal. The shaft moves the element and causes the assembly to change its operating mode when the electrical power energizes the coil.

05-12-2016

20110005887

ELECTROMAGNETIC FRICTION CLUTCH - The invention discloses an electromagnetic friction clutch for driving a fan impeller in the engine compartment of a vehicle, for example, the clutch comprising a disk rotor consisting of a plane flat part, a further clutch element which is supported so that it is freely rotatable and which can be driven by the rotor through controllable friction contact, and elements for transmitting a rotational movement according to the principle of an eddy current drive. An eddy current ring is fitted to the outer edge area of the disk rotor, thereby allowing a compact and cost-effectively simple construction of the clutch.

01-13-2011

20130199885

COUPLING ASSEMBLY - A coupling arrangement for a drive train of a motor vehicle includes at least one clutch arranged on a rotating shaft in order to couple the rotating shaft selectively with a drive element of the drive train, and at least one activation device to activate the clutch. The activation device is adapted to bring an engagement segment selectively into engagement with a threaded segment rotating with the shaft in order to cause a relative movement of the engagement segment and the threaded segment along the axis of the rotating shaft and thus activate the clutch in the axial direction.

METHOD OF OPERATING A DRIVE TRAIN OF A MOTOR VEHICLE AND CORRESPONDING DRIVE TRAIN - The present invention relates to a method of operating a drive train of a motor vehicle having a motor which can be selectively coupled to the drive train by means of a clutch actuable by an actuator. The clutch has a first clutch part associated with a drive shaft of the motor and a second clutch part associated with the drive train. An engagement of the clutch includes the steps:

01-26-2012

20150327426

WORKING VEHICLE - The purpose is to provide a working vehicle such that, when a reverse switch coupler is detached, or when a wire connecting a reverse switch to a control device is disconnected, driving of a PTO shaft can be reliably prevented and reliability of the reverse switch can be improved. In a tractor, a reverse switch includes a normally closed type first contact, and a normally open type second contact that is switched in association with the first contact. When an input voltage from the first contact is higher than a set voltage, and when the input voltage from the first contact is lower than the set voltage and an input voltage from the second contact is equal to or lower than the set voltage, a control device controls the actuator such that the PTO clutch is disconnected.

11-19-2015

20100133058

Clutch Actuation Device for a Manual Transmission of a Vehicle and Corresponding Control Method - A clutch actuation device, particularly for a manual transmission of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, includes a clutch actuation setting device that can be placed in various settings, based on which a corresponding actuation of the clutch takes place. The clutch actuation setting device is suitable for generating electrical signals as a function of the setting, based on which the clutch is correspondingly actuated. A method controls/regulates such a clutch actuation device, particularly for a manual transmission of a vehicle.

06-03-2010

20160116005

ELECTRONIC ACTUATOR FOR FAN CLUTCH - An electronic actuator according to the present invention comprises: a shaft; a bobbin; a nut; an upper bushing; a housing; a bearing; and a lower bushing. The shaft rotates by receiving a rotational force from an engine crank shaft. The bobbin is mounted to surround the middle portion of the shaft, wherein the bobbin has a coil wound inside thereof. The nut is made of a magnetic material and mounted to surround one side in the longitudinal direction of the shaft, while being screw-connected to a clutch. The upper bushing is made of as nonmagnetic material and is press-fit between the one side in the longitudinal direction of the shaft and the nut, so as to connect the shaft and the nut to form a single body. The housing is made of a magnetic material and comprises a bottom plate and a side wall to surround the other side in the longitudinal direction of the shaft, wherein the side wall extends to partially overlap the nut. The bearing is mounted on the outer peripheral surface on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the shaft, positioned inside the housing. The lower hushing is made of a nonmagnetic material and is press-fit between the bearing and the housing so as to connect the bearing and the housing to form a single body.

04-28-2016

20100065397

FIELD COIL ASSEMBLY OF ELECTROMAGNETIC CLUCH FOR A COMPRESSOR - The present invention relates to a field coil assembly of an electromagnetic clutch for a compressor, more particularly, a field coil assembly of an electromagnetic clutch for a compressor, in which a terminal electrically connected with a field coil portion, and an electric wire are assembled to each other by means of upper and lower holders, and then finally engaged with together by means of an insert molding, thereby simplifying a manufacturing process to reduce manufacturing expense, removing a need for a separate member for protecting an electric wire, and easily adjusting the length of the electric wire.

03-18-2010

20150337913

ENGAGING/DISENGAGING MECHANISM - An engaging/disengaging mechanism including: an actuation mechanism capable of transmitting power to an engaging member to move the engaging member in a first direction to switch the engaging/disengaging mechanism into an engaged state and in a second direction to switch the engaging/disengaging mechanism into a disengaged state; and an elastic member capable of storing such elastic force that the engaging member is moved in the second direction to switch the engaging/disengaging mechanism into the disengaged state, wherein to switch the engaging/disengaging mechanism into the engaged state, the power transmitted by the actuation mechanism is reduced after the engaging member is moved by the power transmitted by the actuation mechanism so that the engaging/disengaging mechanism is switched into the engaged state, the elastic force of the elastic member being less intense when the engaging member is in the position than when the engaging/disengaging mechanism is switched into the disengaged state.

11-26-2015

20120152686

Engagement Control Assembly for a Bi-Directional Overrunning Clutch - A bi-directional overrunning clutch differential for controlling torque transmission between a pinion input shaft and at least one output hub. The clutch having a clutch housing and the roll cage mounted within the housing. An engagement control assembly is provided for controlling the relative position of the roll cage with respect to a cam surface on the clutch housing. The engagement control assembly includes an electronically controlled actuation device, such as a coil or solenoid, which when activated causes the roll cage to rotate into a second position relative to the clutch housing to engage the rolls with the cam surface and an outer surface of the hub. A spring is engaged with the clutch housing and has an end engaged with the roll cage for biasing the roll cage into a neutral position when the roll cage is in its second position.

06-21-2012

20100065398

ELECTROMAGNETICALLY OPERATED CLUTCH AND METHOD OF OPERATING AN ELECTROMAGNETICALLY OPERATED CLUTCH - An electromagnetically operated clutch, in particular a friction clutch, for switching on and off units, such as a water pump, in a vehicle, having a predefined electrical system voltage, the clutch including an electromagnet with at least one coil, a rotor, an armature plate, which is attracted to the rotor by the forces of the electromagnet in order to engage the clutch, and control means. The control means, which, in respect of a continuous operating state, are designed for an operating voltage level, which is less than the available electrical system voltage of the vehicle, the control means being suited to switching the electromagnet with a voltage level for engagement of the friction clutch that is greater than operating voltage level and, by timing the supply voltage, to reducing it to the design operating voltage level for an operating phase when the clutch is continuously engaged.

03-18-2010

20140360834

EXTERNAL CONTROL TYPE FAN CLUTCH DEVICE - An external control type fan clutch device has a sealed housing with a torque transmission chamber incorporating a drive disk therein. The drive disk has an oil reserving chamber. The sealed housing is supported on a rotary shaft with the drive disk fixed thereto. A valve member (armature) controls opening and closing of an oil circulating flow passage hole provided on a side wall of the oil reserving chamber. The valve member has magnetism and is actuated by an electromagnet supported on the rotary shaft for opening or closing the oil circulating flow passage hole. A ring-like magnetic body is disposed between the electromagnet and the rotary shaft for efficiently transmitting a magnetic flux of the electromagnet to the armature of the valve member. The external control type fan clutch device achieves size reduction, weight reduction and power saving

12-11-2014

20110024255

ELECTRICAL INTERRUPT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE IN A HYBRID SYSTEM - An electrical interlock system for including a power takeoff device operable in a first state to transfer mechanical energy from an associated combustible engine to an associated electric motor and/or generator and operative in a second state to prevent the transfer of mechanical energy from the associated combustible engine to the associated electric motor and/or generator. A relay having a first switch and an energizable portion, is coupled to the power takeoff device, the electric motor and an associated power source, such that when the energizable portion is receiving electrical power from the associated power source, the power takeoff device is in the first state and when the energizable portion is not receiving electrical power from the associated power source, the power takeoff device is in the second state.

ELECTROMAGNETIC COUPLING DEVICE - An electromagnetic coupling device includes a field core, a surge voltage absorbing member, and a storage member. The field core is provided inside an exciting coil. The surge voltage absorbing member is connected to the exciting coil. The storage member is made of an insulating material and includes a recess portion to store the surge voltage absorbing member. A through hole is formed in an outer wall of the field core. The storage member is inserted into the through hole with an opening of the recess portion facing the exciting coil. The surge voltage absorbing member is inserted in the recess portion so as to be positioned outside the field core by the exciting coil.

03-03-2011

20090260944

Electromagnetic actuating device with driving and holding tapped coil - The present invention discloses that the driving coil of lower impedance having a driving tap and a common connection being electrically actuated to obtain larger actuating force is further operatively controlled by the switching device to be switched to have relatively higher impedance thus allowing smaller current to pass thereby holding electrification or excitation while required operating characteristics of the electromagnetic actuating device can still be satisfied.

10-22-2009

20130001036

ELECTROMAGNETIC ENGAGEMENT APPARATUS - An apparatus includes: a cam that has two cam members disposed facing each other and produces thrust in an axis direction; an attracting member that creates friction force by attracting the cam members into contact with the attracting member by magnetic attraction force; an attracted member that is attached to one cam member of the two so as to rotate integrally together with the one cam member and be relatively movable in the axis direction, and that is attracted by the attracting member into contact with the attracting member so that the friction force is produced; a first return spring that exerts elastic force on the attracted member so as to move the attracted member away from the attracting member against the magnetic attractive force; and a second return spring that exerts elastic force on the one cam member.

ROTATIONAL COUPLING DEVICE WITH FLUX LEAKAGE PATH INSULATORAANM Pardee; James A.AACI JanesvilleAAST WIAACO USAAGP Pardee; James A. Janesville WI USAANM Humy; MichaelAACI RockfordAAST ILAACO USAAGP Humy; Michael Rockford IL US - A rotational coupling device is provided that minimizes flux leakage from a magnetic circuit that engages the device. The device includes a rotor and an armature defining opposed engagement surfaces. The rotor, the armature and a field shell disposed on one side of the rotor and housing an electrical conductor comprise members of a magnetic circuit that, upon energization of the conductor, draws the armature into engagement with the rotor. A torque transmission member is coupled to the armature and supported by a bearing. In one embodiment a sleeve is disposed radially inwardly of the bearing. To prevent flux leakage through the torque transmission member, the sleeve has a magnetic permeability that is lower than a magnetic permeability of the members of the magnetic circuit. In another embodiment, a support cup of the torque transmission member has a radially outwardly turned flange to distance the cup from the rotor.

DEVICE AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATING MODE OF A COUPLING ASSEMBLY, COUPLING AND CONTROL ASSEMBLY AND ELECTRIC MOTOR DISCONNECT AND PASS THROUGH ASSEMBLIES - Device and apparatus for controlling the operating mode of a coupling assembly, coupling and control assembly and electric motor disconnect and pass through assemblies are provided. The device is a switchable linear actuator device to control the operating mode of a coupling assembly. A plurality of magnetic sources produce corresponding magnetic fields to create a net translational force. A stator structure includes at least one electromagnetic source and a translator structure includes a permanent magnet source magnetically coupled to the stator structure across a radial air gap. The translator structure is supported for translational movement relative to the stator structure along an axis between first and second stable axial end positions which correspond to first and second operating modes of the coupling assembly and an unstable axial equilibrium position between the end positions. The translator structure translates along the axis between the different positions upon experiencing the net translational force.

Engine Starting Strategy to Avoid Resonant Frequency - A machine comprising a clutch that engages and disengages. The machine includes an engine operable at various engine speeds including a resonant frequency engine speed, and a transmission connected to the engine through the clutch. The engine applies power to the transmission when the clutch is engaged, and the engine does not apply power to the transmission when the clutch is disengaged. The machine comprises an engine starter that applies power to the engine, and an electronic control module that controls the clutch to disengage when the engine starter applies power to the engine and to engage after the engine speed exceeds the resonant frequency engine speed.

Electrically actuated clutch operator and method of use - The present invention is an electrically actuated clutch operator for the clutch of a rotational motor. The invention can be used to operate a variety of clutch types for both AC and DC motors. The present invention comprises a mounting plate, a generally T-shaped adapter arm that attaches to the operating shaft of the clutch, two electrical linear actuators, two corresponding eight-terminal relays and a programmable relay that controls activation of the actuators. To engage the clutch, one actuator's ram thrusts into the adapter arm, moving the operating shaft to an activated position. To disengage the clutch the other actuator's ram thrusts into a different section of the adapter arm, moving the operating shaft to an inactivate position. The preferred embodiment is designed for an over-center, in-and-out power take-off clutch.

08-18-2011

20110198187

Coupler for Viscometer Bob Shaft - A coupler for attaching a lower segment of a viscometer bob shaft to an upper segment of a viscometer bob shaft includes an upper assembly connected to the upper segment, a lower assembly connected to the lower segment, a magnetic coupler, and a rotation connection.

08-18-2011

20080236981

SMART FAN CLUTCH - Systems, methods and devices for the control of fans are presented. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a fan clutch control unit for a vehicle fan. The fan clutch control unit executes a control loop section and a strategy section to provide control functionality. The fan clutch control unit may be provided as a pre-packaged control board or integrated into a fan clutch.

10-02-2008

20080283352

Electromagnetic actuator - Electromagnetic actuators, components of electromagnetic actuators, clutches that use electromagnetic actuators, and methods associated therewith for improved electromagnetic actuator operation and manufacturing methods. Embodiments of an electromagnetic actuator of the present disclosure includes a configuration of a housing and a flux washer relative a shaft helps to reduce the travel path for magnetic flux generated by an electrical coil contained therein. This more direct flux path, in turn, provides for a shorter loop for the magnetic flux, which helps to generate a greater relative magnetic force (e.g., a stronger clutch actuation force) as compared to other configurations.

11-20-2008

20090032357

ELECTROMAGNETIC CLUTCH - An electromagnetic clutch comprises a rotor rotatable with respect to the center of rotation, an armature facing the rotor with a clearance, a device for generating a magnetic attracting force between the rotor and the armature, a rotating member transmitting a driving force from the armature, and a plate spring for mounting the armature on the rotating member. The plate spring extends in a direction opposite to the center of rotation and has a first end separated from the center of rotation. The first end or a portion in the vicinity of the first end contacts an armature surface facing the rotor, and the plate spring is fixed to the rotating member at a portion other than the portion contacting the armature surface. The armature is supported such that the armature is urged to be separated in a direction opposite to the rotor by an elasticity of the plate spring.

02-05-2009

20090014271

POWER TRANSMITTING DEVICE - A power transmitting device includes a front housing member, an inner shaft, and a main clutch that selectively permits and shuts off transmission of torque between the front housing member and the inner shaft. The power transmitting device is rotatably supported by a bearing arranged outside the front housing member. An intermediate member having a thermal expansion coefficient lower than the thermal expansion coefficient of the front housing member is arranged between the front housing member and the bearing.